Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zenjenny]

I'm interested in spirituality and personal growth, and all of the above listed in the subject. I'd love to meet others who are also interested. Please pm me if you'd like to meet up regularly to discuss books and movies on this topic, personal spiritual growth, help each other in our journey, or anything else.

Thanks!

[greene]

i would be interested in this

[rollo]

Korea has a history of Shamans and fortune tellers. Its almost died out but there were a few traditional shamans around in the 90's. Very interesting stuff actually, worht looking into.

[zenjenny]

Greene, I just sent you a PM.

Yes, I'd love to learn more about the history of shamanism and fortune tellers here. I wouldn't even know how to start...

[dairyairy]

Fortune telling is a scam. Don't tell me you believe in it?

[rollo]

To find out about korean Shamanism , well there are books , not wikipedia that you can buy read. This subject of Korean female shamans who were part fortune teller / sometime prosttute. a mix of sex mysticism and magic mushrroms. there is quite a bit on the subject.

[zenjenny]

I don't know if I believe in "fortune telling" as a general practice or not. There are many different methods and purposes for it. Rollo just mentioned that there was a history of it in Korea, and I'd like to learn more about it. I'm not saying that I want to know where to go to have my fortune read, lol.

[comm]

If you want to learn about Buddhism from monks (in English) and practice meditation, check out Hwa Gye Sa temple, particularly their Sunday program. There is an introduction to meditation for beginners, plenty of time for group meditation, and a "Dharma talk" featuring a presentation and Q/A with a guest (generally a monk) about Buddhism and practicing meditation.

If you have any questions or want more info, just pm ^_^

[rollo]

actually it is still practised in South Korea, in rural areas. On Jeju island it is also still common. Quite a few Christians and Bhuddists still attend shamanic rituals even in Seoul. There are cultural societies in korea that can tell you where services are held.

yes there is a trmendous Bhuddist history here. Korean Bhuddism is complex and intiguing and it is easy to find people to teach you more.

[zenjenny]

Thank you so much for your posts and kind consideration, I really appreciate it!

I'm less interested with the Buddhist aspect - the slant towards asceticism (i.e. abstinence from worldly pleasures) isn't a direction that appeals to me. But I've read many books on Buddhism and attended some Buddhist meditation classes, and of course there is still a lot to offer from the Buddhist tradition. However, I prefer the more earth-based traditions (pagan/wicca/native spirituality, etc). Thanks again for your posts!

[Suwon Fish]

Funny thing, I've been developing a yen to learn more about the Kabablah and tarot.

Sign me up if that interests you ^^

[dairyairy]

[zenjenny]

Suwon Fish, I just sent you a PM

dairyairy - once again, I did NOT say that I was planning to find a fortune teller here and pay them to tell my my future. All I said was that I was interested in finding out about the history of fortune telling here. Two very distinct things.

[Suwon Fish]

Pm received and bump ^^

[rollo]

Uh! this is not some ajumma sitting in a train station. this is a complicated ritual and is practised in a large part of North Asia. The word shaman actually came from North Asia. There are still a few Mundang in Seoul and other parts of Korea. Whether you believe or not it is interesting and a look at the past. This is 'real" Korean culture. not some t.v. fabrication. If you are interested in this sort of thing, and you are in korea you should check it out.
i
My interest is academic, realy fascinating stuff. It is disappearing and this will probaly be the last generation of these women.